Tram Replaces Horse Tram

The horses are pensioned off and the electric tram dominates the Rostock cityscape from May on. The MSEAG has since traded under the name “Rostocker Straßenbahn AG”.

New Bus Connection

Omnibuses begin operating on Rostock’s roads on the W route between Rostock and Warnemünde. The number 5 bus line begins operations in the city centre two years later.

New Connection

1930 to 1936: the tram network now includes the new district of Reutershagen with the terminus Marienehe as well as Neuer Friedhof.

Launch

Resumption of tram operations on two routes.

Connection to the District of Dierkow

A long-held wish of Dierkow’s residents is fulfilled. Three years later the tram also provides Gehlsdorf’s residents with speedy travel to the city centre.

Restructuring

The company is outsourced from the “Kommunalwirtschaftlicher Unternehmen” and renamed “VEB Nahverkehr Rostock”. At this time the first trams and buses manufactured in the GDR and Hungary are put into operation.

Central Depot

The depot in Hamburger Straße is put into operation.

New Tram Route

After the Neuer Markt is redesigned, the tram route now runs through Lange Straße.

Connection of Additional Districts

The residents of the new districts built in the 1960s and 70s don’t have to wait a long time for the bus. A number of new routes are launched which link the southern part of the city and the districts in the north-west to the public transport network. Rostock’s public transport system is increasingly defined by new, more spacious and comfortable vehicles. Brand new articulated vehicles from Gotha are introduced in 1962, and in 1969 the first articulated bus is put on the road.

Switch to Buses

Tram line number 4 to Gehlsdorf is changed to a bus route.

Introduction of the Ticket Validation System

Connecting the North-East

1987 to 1990: the tram returns to the north-east and branch lines connect the new districts of Dierkow and Toitenwinkel. This creates attractive and fast connections to the city centre.

New Name

Communal public transport operations are transferred to the private sector and are once again named the Rostocker Straßenbahn AG.

Modern Low-Floor Technology

The outdated fleet of vehicles is gradually updated with future-oriented low-floor technology. Buses and trams which are accessible to people with disabilities have since defined the cityscape. With its reconstruction of the tracks and customer-friendly revamping of the stops, RSAG presents itself as one of Germany’s most modern public transport operators.

Rostocker Verkehrsgemeinschaft

The Rostocker Verkehrsgemeinschaft is set up.

Low-Floor Trams

The first low-floor tram 6NGT is introduced to the route service.

Customer Service Center is Opened

The sales point in the Hauptbahnhof, or main station, and the customer service centre in the “Doberaner Hof” passage are opened at the main public transport intersections to offer comprehensive advice to customers.

VVW

The Transport Association Warnow (German:Verkehrsverbund Warnow, short VVW) is set up with the RSAG as a partner.

Night Bus Routes are Introduced

The new night route “Fledermaus F1 and F2” and route number 38 are introduced.

North-West Extension of the Tram Network

The first step towards an extension of the tram network to the north-west of the city is the kick-off for extensive expansions to the track network.

New Stop

Operation of the stop “Neuer Markt” launched on 29 October 1999.

Building of Tunnel under the Main Station

The first piles are driven for the subterranean level under the main station.

Extension of the Tram Network N1

The first construction phase N1 to extend the tram network to the north-west of the Hanseatic City of Rostock is launched with a district festival in Evershagen.

Extension of the Tram Network N2

Construction work to extend the Tram Network N2 to Lütten Klein begins.

Mobility Consultants

30 mobility consultants begin work in the Hanseatic City of Rostock.

Extension of the Tram Network to the Southern Part of the City

The extension of the tram network to the southern part of the city is inaugurated by the Economic Minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Otto Ebnet, the Mayor Arno Pöker, and Jochen Bruhn and Hajo Graf Vitzthum, from the RSAG board of directors.

Extension of the Tram Network N2

Section N2 in Lütten Klein is inaugurated with a street party. Mayor Arno Pöker drove the first train on the new section.

Direct Marketing Center

Opening of the RSAG Direct Marketing Centre to enhance telephone customer service.

Low-Floor Trailer Car

Delivery of the first low-floor trailer car.

Signing

Signing of the agreement to safeguard public transport in Rostock.

Bus Depot

The new bus depot in Schmarl is put into operation.

Main Station Distribution Level

Connection to the distribution level of Rostock main station.

Transportation Days

18 – 19 April 2002: First Rostock Transportation Days.

Road Safety Education

Start of road safety education with the “classroom on wheels”.

Tram Route to Lichtenhagen

District festival to open the tram route to Lichtenhagen.

New Tram Route to the Southern Part of the City

Inauguration of the new tram route to the southern part of the city with a festival to celebrate the city’s transportation routes.

Main Station Tram Tunnel

Opening of Rostock’s main station and the tram tunnel.

Open Day

Open Day as part of the anniversary of “100 years of electric transportation in Rostock”.

Pantograph test

First pantograph test (test for approval of the overhead contact line) on the new section Schröderplatz – Platz der Freundschaft.

Schröderplatz – Platz der Freundschaft Section

Construction commences for the section Schröderplatz – Platz der Freundschaft.

Renovation of Doberaner Platz

Rostock’s new tram network is completed. After its renovation, Doberaner Platz can now be fully used by all customers.

Doberaner Platz – Platz der Freundschaft Section is Put into Operation

The trams run according to schedule along the new section of the route between Doberaner Platz and Platz der Freundschaft.

Hanse Sail

Fully operational in time for the Hanse Sail. During the Hanse Sail, RSAG trams run through the city centre. The new stop at the city port shortens the route to the event.

Doberaner Platz – Steintor Section

The section Doberaner Platz – Steintor is completely closed to trams.

G8 Summit

From 2 until 8 June 2007: Special timetable for the G8 summit in Heiligendamm. Due to demonstrations, bus and tram travel is at times severely restricted.

New Director – Wilfried Eisenberg

Wilfried Eisenberg who was born in Rostock is appointed to the board for 5 years to succeed Hajo Graf Vitzthum who retired on 31 December 2006.

Environmentally Friendly Buses

The first seven buses which comply with the EEV-Norm (enhanced, environmentally friendly vehicle) are put into operation.

Twentieth Anniversary

Twentieth anniversary of the tram to north-east Rostock.

Route 27

Route 27 is taken into service after a 6-month test-run.

Trams Up Close

Start of the series of events “Straßenbahn zum Anfassen” where interested visitors can gain brief insight into the company.

VDV Annual Meeting

June 2009: the VDV annual meeting is held in Rostock.

Conversion of the Contact Line System

The Rostocker Straßenbahn AG begins preparations for the conversion of the contact line system in Lange Straße.

Tenth Anniversary

Get on and relax, you don't need to change – Evershagen has been a part of the tram network for 10 years. A press journey to Evershagen takes place on the occasion of the anniversary.

Construction Commences in Warnemünde

Ground-breaking ceremony to signalise the start of construction of the new transport intersection in Warnemünde.

Tram Parade

50 years of trams in the Lange Straße: generations of trams parade through the city center.

Funding Announced for Hybrid Articulated Buses

Transport Minister Volker Schlotmann hands over notice of the funding for 5 hybrid articulated buses.

Construction Work in Doberaner Straße

Construction work carried out by EURAWASSER begins between the junction at Am Kabutzenhof and the Werftdreieck. Three months of single track traffic in Doberaner Straße. Two sets of points lead to and from the existing track to the rail track.

Completion of the Traffic Intersection in Warnemünde

The transfer station am Nordkreuz opens to traffic and the stop Warnemünde Werft is put into operation.

New Director – Michael Schroeder

Michael Schroeder takes over the post of technical director of the RSAG.

First Pedelec Rental Station

The first RSAG pedelec rental station in Reutershage begins its test phase.

Park(ing) Day

Park(ing) Day and car-free day in Lange Straße. The RSAG is one of the organisers from the working group on climate protection and mobility and is on site in the Lange Straße with one of the new generation of buses.

Modern Low-Floor Trams

Modern low-floor trams replace Tatra railcars on the Rostock route network. The new type 6N2 tram is put into operation.

Timetable Information with Real-Time Data

July 2014: new timetable information in real-time and Twitter account for RSAG online.

Direct Award of Contract until 2030

Signing of the contract on the direct award of contract: Until 2030, Rostock public transportation services will continue to be provided by the RSAG.

Ferry to Gehlsdorf

The RSAG has taken over commercial responsibility for ferry traffic on the Kabutzenhof/Schnickmannstraße – Gehlsdorf route. Ferry operations themselves will be carried out by Antaris GmbH. RSAG ensures the integration of ferry travel into the existing local public transport network offering and represents ferry travel in the VVW (Warnow transport association).

135th Anniversary

The Rostocker Straßenbahn AG’s 135th anniversary is celebrated in depot12 in Marienehe. The visitors can experience a diverse entertainment programme in which they are able to learn a lot about the Rostock company’s history. Absolute highlights were the journeys with traditional vehicles and the great tram parade through the hanseatic city.

Trial Operations on Route 34

Start of trial operations in the fishing port Marienehe. Route 34 starts at Holbeinplatz and runs via Carl-Hopp-Straße to the fishing port in Marienehe.

MOBIL 2016

The RSAG’s new traffic concept “MOBIL 2016” comes into effect and provides for even more direct connections, improved tact and new routes.

New Director – Jan Bleis

As successor to Jochen Bruhn who retired as planned from the company on 31.12.2015, Jan Bleis who was born in Rostock is appointed as commercial director to the RSAG supervisory board for a five-year term.

VVW’s Twentieth Anniversary

The travel associations in the Hanseatic City of Rostock and the region have been working together under the umbrella of the Verkehrsverbund Warnow (VVW) since 1997. An annual 62 million passengers profit from the benefits of a joint tariff and a coordinated timetable.

RSAG Taking The Youngest Out On The Road

In 2017 for the first time, the RSAG raffles 3 modern fully equipped multi-seat strollers for nursery children. All Rostock day-care centres are invited to take part in a creative competition on the theme “Out and about in Rostock by bus and rail”. The RSAG strollers have space for a maximum of 6 children aged up to 3 years and are equipped with ergonomic seats, safety belts, lightweight tyres and a double braking system.

Twentieth Anniversary of the RSAG “Fledermäuse” (bats)

For 20 years now, the night bus routes F1 and F2 have been operational throughout Rostock even after midnight. To celebrate this anniversary a bus is given an exclusive bat design. Furthermore, RSAG donates bat silhouettes and a sign about the hunting behaviour of bats to Rostock Zoo.

RSAG Tests Electric Buses

To gain further knowledge and experience with a bus operating on route services which is entirely electric, RSAG conducts trial operations with a battery-driven electric bus manufactured by the company Sileo in Salzgitter.

Trial Operations of the TFT Display at Neuer Markt

A new type of DPI display using a TFT monitor was installed at Neuer Markt: this monitor offers an even clearer picture and more display options than conventional displays with LED pixels. In the event of unforeseen timetable changes, information on the disruption can also be given with the running text on the DPI. A new feature is offered: people who are blind or have a visual impairment can press a request button attached to the pole so that the display content is spoken. This is a further step towards complete accessibility. The display is tested over several months.

New Director – Yvette Hartmann

As the first woman, Yvette Hartmann takes over the post of commercial director of the RSAG. As director for markets and technology, Jan Bleis is responsible with immediate effect for all of the company’s technical business areas as well as for marketing and sales and thus succeeds Michael Schroeder who retired on 31.12.2016 as planned as technical director.

New Payment Functions on Ticket Machines

To press ahead with the digitalisation of sales processes and to make ticket purchasing even easier and more convenient, RSAG has offered the option of making contactless or credit card payments for tickets purchased at stationary machines since October 2018.

Securing Connections between Ferry and Bus

The RSAG develops for the transfer point at Hohe Düne their own technical solution to enable a secure connection between the ferry and the buses of the routes 17 and 18 which run in the direction of Markgrafenheide and Hinrichshagen.

50 Years of Traditional Transport in Rostock

In the summer of 1968, a traditional vehicle was operated for the first time in Rostock’s city centre. Today, RSAG’s fleet of traditional vehicles comprises four motor trams, two trailer cars and a variety of wagons as well as two traditional motor buses and a traditional car. On the occasion of this 50th anniversary, Rostock’s friends of local transport organise a day out on the road on 15th July.

An Anniversary Tram for the City’s Birthday

In 2018, the Hanseatic and University City of Rostock celebrates its 800-year anniversary and in 2019 the 600th anniversary of the founding of the University of Rostock. In the course of preparing for the double anniversary together with municipal representatives, the idea was born that an anniversary tram could be designed for the city’s birthday. The Rostock artist Christoph Kadur provides the graphics he designed especially for the anniversary.